Families Forever

04-11-2006

By Tom Shanahan, San Diego Hall of Champions

One of Luke Walton's favorite charities is Families Forever, a non-profit organization that offers parenting classes and personal growth courses that has been run by his mother, Susie Walton, for five years.

Last November Luke was a contestant on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune when he won $60,000. He donated half to Families Forever and the other half to a Katrina Hurricane victim's fund.

"Our mission is to offer redirecting children's behavior parenting courses, workshops and personal growth courses to individuals and schools," Susie said. "These funds allow us to reach more areas that can't afford the classes."

The five-week classes meet once a week for 2 1/2 hours.

"We teach families how to redirect discipline without punishment," Susie said. "We try to create a team in the family with more cooperation between kids and parents and more fun."

Luke's funds donated from Celebrity Wheel of Fortune allowed Families Forever to offer the course Understanding Yourself and Others to teens that were in transition from foster families. That program is offered through the YMCA YFS.

"The course teaches us to stop blaming other people and to start moving forward in life," Susie said.

Susie said he hopes to expand Families Forever to hire more instructors and offer more classes and workshops.

To get more information go to www.indigovillage.com or call Susie Walton at 760-633-3754.